24.03.2013 Views

CHARLES DICKENS DOMBEY AND SON CHAPTER I Dombey and ...

CHARLES DICKENS DOMBEY AND SON CHAPTER I Dombey and ...

CHARLES DICKENS DOMBEY AND SON CHAPTER I Dombey and ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

jealous ears of the Chicken, who objected to the softer emotions; which<br />

effort of restraint, coupled with the intensity of his feelings, made him<br />

red to the tips of his ears, <strong>and</strong> caused him to present such an affecting<br />

spectacle of disinterested love to the eyes of Captain Cuttle, that the good<br />

Captain patted him consolingly on the back, <strong>and</strong> bade him cheer up.<br />

'Thankee, Captain Gills,' said Mr. Toots, 'it's kind of you, in the midst of<br />

your own troubles, to say so. I'm very much obliged to you. As I said<br />

before, I really want a friend, <strong>and</strong> should be glad to have your<br />

acquaintance. Although I am very well off,' said Mr. Toots, with energy,<br />

'you can't think what a miserable Beast I am. The hollow crowd, you know,<br />

when they see me with the Chicken, <strong>and</strong> characters of distinction like that,<br />

suppose me to be happy; but I'm wretched. I suffer for Miss <strong>Dombey</strong>, Captain<br />

Gills. I can't get through my meals; I have no pleasure in my tailor; I<br />

often cry when I'm alone. I assure you it'll be a satisfaction to me to come<br />

back to-morrow, or to come back fifty times.'<br />

Mr. Toots, with these words, shook the Captain's h<strong>and</strong>; <strong>and</strong> disguising such<br />

traces of his agitation as could be disguised on so short a notice, before<br />

the Chicken's penetrating glance, rejoined that eminent gentleman in the<br />

shop. The Chicken, who was apt to be jealous of his ascendancy, eyed Captain<br />

Cuttle with anything but favour as he took leave of Mr. Toots; but followed<br />

his patron without being otherwise demonstrative of his ill-will: leaving<br />

the Captain oppressed with sorrow; <strong>and</strong> Rob the Grinder elevated with joy, on<br />

account of having had the honour of staring for nearly half an hour at the<br />

conqueror of the Nobby Shropshire One.<br />

Long after Rob was fast asleep in his bed under the counter, the Captain sat<br />

looking at the fire; <strong>and</strong> long after there was no fire to look at the Captain<br />

sat gazing on the rusty bars, with unavailing thoughts of Walter <strong>and</strong> old Sol<br />

crowding through his mind. Retirement to the stormy chamber at the top of<br />

the house brought no rest with it; <strong>and</strong> the Captain rose up in the morning,<br />

sorrowful <strong>and</strong> unrefreshed.<br />

As soon as the City offices were open, the Captain issued forth to the<br />

counting-house of <strong>Dombey</strong> <strong>and</strong> Son. But there was no opening of the

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!